Country has seen significant rise in COVID-19 infection rate in 14 days: Umar

(Karachi) Federal Minister for Planning, Development, Reforms and Special Initiatives Asad Umar has said that the positivity rate of novel coronavirus infections in Pakistan has been more than two percent for the past two weeks.

In a tweet on Sunday, the minister said after witnessing the positivity rate of less than two percent in coronavirus cases for the past six weeks, the country has seen a significant rise in infection rate in 14 days.

6 ہفتے اوسط قومی سطح پر پوزیٹیویٹی 2٪ سے کم رہنے کے بعد پچھلے ہفتے 2٪ سے زیادہ رہی. کراچی، اسلام آباد، آزاد کشمیر میں منی سمارٹ لوک ڈاؤن دوبارہ نافذ. ملک بھر میں انتظامیہ کو حفاظتی اقدامات یقینی بنانے کی ہدایت کی گئی ہے. لیکن کامیابی پہلے کی طرح عوام کے تعاون کے بغیر ناممکن ہے

— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) October 11, 2020

He maintained, "The mini Smart Lockdown has been re-imposed in Karachi, Islamabad, Azad Kashmir, and other cities. The administration has been directed to ensure security measures across the country.”

However, he said, “Success is still impossible without the support of the people.”

Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan also warned of a looming “second wave” of the Covid-19 pandemic and advised the countrymen to wear face masks in public to avert the virus spread.

The PM stated there is a fear that onset of winter could result in second wave of coronavirus. He said as compared to some other states, Allah has been kind to us in Pakistan and spared us from the worst effects of COVID-19.

Imran Khan urged everyone to wear face masks in public to avoid a spike and said all offices and educational institutions must ensure that masks are worn.